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Was CAT 2021 another CDC? That’s what most students said when they came out! As predicted, CAT 2021 followed the CAT 2020 exam pattern of reduced time (2 hours) with 40 minutes allotted to each section. However, what remained under speculation was the number of questions in each of the sections. As it turned out, the number of questions in CAT 2021 reduced to 66 questions from 76 questions last year (CAT2020).
Section-wise distribution of questions was as expected and had been discussed multiple times in Career launcher’s classes and open sessions. That is:
The marking scheme remained the same: +3/-1 for MCQs, and +3/0 for non-MCQs. The overall level of difficulty for CAT 2021 slot 1 was slightly higher than that of CAT 2020. In terms of the section-wise level of difficulty, VARC was moderate and was similar to last year’s VARC section. DILR went back to CAT 2020 level and was moderate to difficult in terms of level of difficulty due to lesser choices in sets. QA was easy and along the same lines as last year in terms of LOD.
An overall raw score of around ~99 should fetch a 99%ile in CAT 2021.
CAT 2021 Paper Pattern & Section-wise expected score for 99%ile+
For CAT 2021 Score calculator & Percentile Prediction, Check CAT 2021 Exam Corner
| Section Name | Total Questions |
Time Limit |
Marking Scheme |
Score for 99%ile |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
37-39 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
27-30 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
40-42 |
Total |
66 |
120 Minutes |
+3/-1 (for MCQs) |
~97 - 99 |
The VARC section was moderate in level of difficulty, making it similar to CAT 2020. This was a slightly lengthy section, which was contrary to expectations. There were a total of 24 questions to be attempted in 40 minutes.
5 questions were Non-MCQs (all in Verbal). The RC passages were around 470-500 words each. 2 were easy to read while 2 passages were difficult to read with 2 questions doable in each. RC Passages were remarkably close to what you must have seen in Career launcher’s All India Mock.
Since there were 4 passages, 2 would have been an ideal attempt. 4 would have been a risk.
VA was fine, as usual. Para Summary had short answers; and the options were tricky. Summary questions had very close options. 2 Para Jumbles were easy.
Overall, a score of 24-25 can be considered enough for a 85%ile. All the TITA (Non MCQ questions) should have been attempted, as usual. 35-38 marks can be considered ideal for a 99%ile.
CAT 2021 VARC Question-wise Breakup:
| Topic | No. of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Attempt |
Reading Comprehension |
16 (4+4+4+4) |
12 |
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles |
3 |
2 |
Verbal Ability - Summary |
3 |
2 |
Verbal Ability - Parajumbles (Odd-sentence out) |
2 |
1 |
The DILR section had 20 questions distributed across 4 sets (4+4+6+6). DILR went back to CAT 2020 level of difficulty and was moderate to difficult. Again, the number of non-MCQs was 5. In the given time duration only 2 Sets were manageable. Bar Chart was purely DI based and was easy. Other three were time consuming. 1 set was a mixed bag of DI and LR and was doable.
A score of 27-30 marks can be considered ideal for a 99+ percentile in DILR.
CAT 2021 DILR Question - wise Breakup:
| Subject | Topic |
No of Questions |
Ideal Attempt |
Data Interpretation + Logical Reasoning |
Smoothies- DI |
4 |
1-2 |
Bar Graph |
4 |
3-4 |
|
Arrangement - Researchers, Publishing |
6 |
2-3 |
|
Arrangement - Friends, Strangers, Acquaintances |
6 |
2-3 |
As expected, the QA section of CAT 2021 was similar to that of CAT 2018 and CAT 2020, in terms of LOD. It had 22 short and sweet questions to be attempted in 40 minutes. The section had 8 non-MCQs.
As expected, Arithmetic dominated this section. A score of 40-42 would be ideal for a 99+ percentile in the QA section of CAT 2021.
CAT 2021 QA Questions- wise Breakup:
| Topic | No of Questions (MCQ/non-MCQ) |
Ideal Attempt |
Number System |
2 |
1-2 |
Algebra |
5 |
2 -3 |
Arithmetic |
11 |
7-9 |
Modern Math |
1 |
0-1 |
Geometry & Mensuration |
3 |
2 |
Candidates would have done well to maintain their calm and follow the guidelines shared by Career Launcher, in all its sessions. The overall cutoff for a 99 percentile is expected to range around 97-98, as predicted by us before the exam itself !